September 22, 2008 |

This is the second installment of “you play the coach,” where you get the opportunity to give out a game ball. Just drop me a comment and give a quick explanation.

As I stated in my post-game blog yesterday, for the second week in a row, Ray Lewis gets my game ball. That bone-crushing hit he put on Kellen Winslow, Jr. caused the turnover that changed the game.

But the main reason he gets my game ball is because of the job he did pulling his team together after that horrific injury to Dawan Landry. I’d love to be a fly on the wall in that locker room at halftime just to hear/see what Ray said/did. It could have been a passionate speech, or just a look he exchanged with his comrades. Either way, I know he had a hand in pulling this team together in the second half.

Terrell Suggs said it best: “I don’t think there is a more vocal leader, and just a leader, period, in the NFL than Ray Lewis. He knew we had to make a play.”

Samari Rolle added: “People put enitrely too much emphasis on age. He knows the game. He is the greatest middle linebacker in the history of this league.”

And as promised yesterday, here are a few pictures from pre-game warm ups. Thanks to Paige and the Ravens PR department!

Flacco and Brown getting in sync before the game. What a performance by Brown yesterday! He dominated Shaun Rogers.

Wacko for Flacco!

Samari Rolle had a great day too…he was matched up on Edwards a lot and Edwards was very ineffective.

Our boys in the trenches played a hell of a game, didn’t they?

Tom Zbikowski picks off a pass as Corey Ivy and the rest of the DBs look on…

Jim Leonhard, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite Ravens.

C-Mac and our field general getting amped up…

Once again, LeRon McClain punched the opposition in the mouth in the 4th quarter to help seal the win.

T-Sizzle and Ed Reed, who both played like world-beaters yesterday. Suggs has 3 sacks in 2 games and that Ed Reed interception was one of the prettiest defensive plays I’ve seen…he makes it look easy, doesn’t he?

Poll Results:

Week 1:

My pick: Ray Lewis

Your pick: Ravens Offensive Line

Week 3:

My pick: Ray Lewis

Your pick: ???

Steelers/Ravens predictions coming soon! Last week, I predicted a 23-10 Ravens victory…ALMOST right on the nose…maybe I’ll get lucky again next week.

Monday’s always seem a little easier to tolerate after the Ravens win don’t they? Have a good one.